Stages of Children's Play

Front

Unoccupied play

Back

Birth–3 months: Baby makes movements with arms, legs, hands, feet, learning and discovering how their body moves.

Front

Solitary play

Back

Birth–2 years: A child plays alone, not yet interested in playing with others.

Front

Spectator/onlooker play

Back

2 years: A child watches other children play but does not play with them.

Front

Parallel play

Back

2+ years: A child plays alongside or near others but does not play with them.

Front

Associative play

Back

3–4 years: A child starts to interact with others during play but there is not a large amount of interaction at this stage.

Front

Co-operative play

Back

4+ years: A child interacts fully with others and has interest in both the activity and other children involved, creating their own rules.